Formula Feeding FAQs: Starting Solids and Milk

The major health organizations — including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Medical Association (AMA), the American Dietetic Association (ADA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) — agree that breast milk is the ideal form of nutrition for babies (especially during the first 6 months). However, it's your choice to decide what's best for you and your baby.

Whether you've decided to formula feed your baby from the start, are supplementing your breast milk with formula, or are switching from breast milk to formula, you're bound to have questions. Here are answers to some common inquiries about formula feeding.

When should I introduce solid foods?

Although in the past many parents started giving their babies solids early on, the AAP now recommends waiting until babies are 4-6 months old. Why? Because feeding solids earlier than this can increase the chances of your baby developing food allergies.

Water and other foods are usually unnecessary during a baby's first 6 months. Breast milk or formula provides everything babies need nutritionally until they start eating solid foods. Juice is completely unnecessary as a regular part of any infant or child’s diet.

Watch for signs of solid-food readiness, such as your baby having good head control, losing the tongue-thrusting reflex and seeming interested in other people's food. Always start with baby cereal (rice cereal is usually the best one to introduce first, but may be constipating) on a spoon before advancing to fruits and vegetables. But do not add cereal to your baby's bottle unless your doctor instructs you to — it can be a choking hazard and can make babies overweight.

Never put your baby to bed with a bottle or capped cup. Doing so can cause choking and increase your baby's risk for cavities from the sugar in the juice, formula, or breast milk.

When can I start giving my baby cow's milk?

Infants under 1 year still need the nutrients in breast milk or formula. But at 1 year old, you can begin offering your little one whole cow's milk. Why not skim or 2%? Because babies need the fat in whole milk for normal growth and brain development during the busy early toddler period.

You can transition your baby from formula to whole milk by beginning to replace bottles of formula with bottles — or sippy cups — of milk. By 1 year old, your baby should be eating a variety of other foods and only 2-3 cups (480-720 milliliters) of milk per day.

If your baby was put on a soy or hypoallergenic formula for a milk allergy, talk to the doctor before introducing milk.

American Medical Association (AMA) The AMA has made a commitment to medicine by making doctors more accessible to their patients. Contact the AMA at: American Medical Association515 N. State St.Chicago, IL 60610(312) 464-5000

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - better known as the WIC Program - serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) The AAP is committed to the health and well-being of infants, adolescents, and young adults. The website offers news articles and tips on health for families.

World Health Organization (WHO) WHO, the United Nations' specialized agency, works to give people worldwide the highest possible level of health - physically, mentally, and socially.

WomensHealth.gov Developed by the U.S. Office on Women's Health, 4woman offers reliable women's health information.

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